Flag of Kabardino-Balkaria: description

What does the flag of Kabardino-Balkaria look like? When was it approved and what does it mean?

Kabardino-Balkaria: a portrait of the region

Kabardino-Balkaria is one of the southern regions of the Russian Federation with a population of about 860,000 people. The present republic was formed as an autonomous region in 1921.

The region occupies a small area (12.5 thousand square kilometers). The republic is located on the northern slopes of the Caucasian mountains and the plains immediately adjacent to the mountain system. By the way, it is in Kabardino-Balkaria that the highest point of Russia and the whole of Europe is Elbrus (5642 meters).

The largest cities of the republic are Nalchik, Prokhladny, Baksan. Tungsten is extracted from minerals here. Local recreational resources are actively used. In the region there are enterprises of chemical, construction, food industry, electric power and non-ferrous metallurgy.

This republic, like any other subject of the Russian Federation, has its own symbols. What is the flag of Kabardino-Balkaria? And what is his story? This will be discussed later.

Flag of Kabardino-Balkaria: description and history

The flag of the republic is a rectangular panel with a standard aspect ratio (2: 3). In its design there are only three colors that are in harmony with each other: blue, white and green.

The modern flag of Kabardino-Balkaria consists of three horizontal stripes of the same thickness. On top is a blue strip, from below - green, and in the center - white. In the center of the flag is drawn a circle consisting of two color fields, blue and green. In this circle there is a stylized image of the main natural landmark of the region - Mount Elbrus.

The flag of Kabardino-Balkaria in its present form was officially approved in July 1994. Before that, he had a completely different design. So, during the twentieth century, the flag of the region was modified six times. True, all these changes were insignificant.

The very first version of the flag was a red cloth with a large inscription "RSFSR" in the upper left corner. Below were inscriptions with the name of the republic (at that time it was the Kabardino-Balkarian ASSR) in three languages: Russian, Kabardian and Balkar. In 1957, the five-pointed star decorated the flag of the republic, as well as the traditional Soviet emblem with a sickle and a hammer, and to the left a blue vertical strip was added.

It is interesting that some national societies of Kabardians often use the flag, which today is the official symbol of the Republic of Adygea, since the Kabardians and Adygheans consider themselves to be one people. As it looks, you can see in the next photo.

Flag of Kabardino-Balkaria: what does it mean?

It should be noted right away that both the flag and the coat of arms of the republic correspond to all generally accepted norms of international symbols. And they trace the national identity of both Balkarian and Kabardian ethnic groups.

The flag of Kabardino-Balkaria, as already noted above, consists of only three shades. It's blue, green and white. The Balkarian people symbolize blue, and Kabardian people - green. In addition, some other symbols are also included in the flag of the republic.

So, green color personifies force, honor, valor and glory of ancestors. Blue symbolizes freedom in all its manifestations, as well as a hope for a good, bright future. White color is the color of peace and full mutual understanding, in which two people of the republic live, Kabardians and Balkars.